Brighton sign Irish PFA player of the year

Brighton have agreed a contract with Irish attacking midfielder and reigning Irish PFA player of the year Richie Towell.

The 24-year-old Dubliner is set to join from Dundalk, on a two-and-half-year deal until 2018, but Albion will have to wait for the transfer window to reopen to complete the deal and register the move with the Football League.

Subject to international clearance, Towell will be eligible to play after January 2, and Seagulls manager Chris Hughton said: “Richie’s had a wonderful season in Ireland and scored a lot of goals for the champions Dundalk from midfield, and that really caught our eye.

“He is something different to the number of very good midfield options we already have here at the club, and I am really looking forward to having him as part of our squad in the New Year.

“He had a lot of good options available for his next move; here in England, in Scotland, in Ireland with Dundalk and in Europe, so we are delighted he has decided to join us.

“He’s played a full season since March, but has already made it clear he is keen to be ready to play in January, and keen to begin training with us as soon as possible.

“We will give him some time off for a well-deserved break, as he’s played a lot of football in the past nine months, but I am certain he will be ready for us in January and will be an excellent addition to the squad.”

In three years at Dundalk, Towell helped them win back-to-back League of Ireland titles, this season and last, and won a League of Ireland Cup medal in 2014 and an FAI Cup medal this year - completing an Irish league-and-cup double.

He also won a host of individual awards this season, to add to his 2013 Irish PFA Young Player of the Year Award, and his 29 goals in 44 games this season, helped Dundalk retain the league title.

Towell has an excellent goalscoring record of 49 goals in 113 games in his time with Dundalk, and in his younger years was with Celtic - where he began his career - and Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League.

He has also represented Ireland at under-17, under-19 and under-21 level, and has made clear his ambitions to break into the full Irish squad.

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